US FLAG

1.  Before researching and finding on PBS in an article called The History of the American flag  I never knew that The Continental Congress established that the nation should have a flag on June 14th 1777. It is believed that the it was designed by a congressman from New Jersey and sewn by Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress.
2. PBS also told me that from 1777-1960 acts have been formed that cover the change of the national flag. like the adding of stars/stripes for the new states.
3. PBS and the US flag.org told me that The flag today has: 13 stripes alternating in red and white representing the 13 original colonies,  the stars represent the 50 states in the union, which are places in a blue background in the top left corner. The colors have representation too, red=hardiness and valor, white=purity and innocence and blue=vigilance,perserverence and justice. 
4.  I never knew that all of American culture could relate to the American flag 
1. The flag is a symbol of one nation that we as Americans stand under one sole name. The flag represents how proud we are of this nation and what we stand for each day. The flag represents our military which we are endlessly proud of and can't contain what joy it brings for us to be defended by such great men and women each day. 
2. The flag's most known name is "Old Glory" names also include "stars and stripes" and "the star spangled banner"
3. American music has taken the flag as an idea for many songs since Yankee Doodle but one that is like no other is Ragged old Flag by Johnny Cash
5. The idea of honoring the flag is overall very understood I believe. The flag is displayed outside go homes and on prized possessions. The flag is put at half mast when the country is in mourning and there are rules and guidelines for how to handle a flag.  we have these rules and guidelines so that we know as a nation that as Americans we honor,respect and defend the flag and defend our country.
6. I think people understand that the flag is a sacred thing so that people use it in protest to defy the government and the union is opposition to their beliefs.

To display the honor and respect for the flag and the union many people hang a flag outside their homes 

SOURCES:
PBS, the history of the American flag: here I found the names for the flag, the meaning and origin of the flag
the Boot: here I found information on the Johnny cash song "Ragged old Flag"
"Old Glory": here I found more detailed information on the nicknames and meaning of the flag